President Trump and the Republican party have worked hard over the years to undermine the Affordable Care Act (ACA), leaving fewer people with access to health insurance.
Now, the current administration is launching TrumpRx, a site that offers discounted prices on medications bought out-of-pocket. A note claims that “the days of Big-Pharma price gouging are over” and that “the President has ensured every American gets the lowest prices on prescription medications in the developed world.”
How does TrumpRx work?
TrumpRx currently offers 43 brand name drugs, including weight-loss medication like Ozempic and Wegovy alongside things like Premarin and Cortef. It claims that more options are on the way.
Customers can download a coupon—displaying a golden eagle—and bring it to participating pharmacies.
If it sounds a lot like GoodRx, there’s a reason. The long-standing discount prescription company is a “key integration partner” for TrumpRx, connecting pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer.
“Transparent direct-to-consumer prescription pricing helps to ensure millions of Americans have access to the healthcare they deserve, Wendy Barnes, president and CEO of GoodRx, said in a statement. “GoodRx gives manufacturers a proven way to launch discounted cash pricing at scale and extend it directly into TrumpRx. Together, we’re turning the promise of prescription drug affordability into a reality for millions of Americans.”
TrumpRx and GoodRx even have similar disclaimers on their respective websites.
Is TrumpRx really helping with healthcare affordability?
At present, TrumpRx has limited options and in some cases less affordable ones than GoodRx. One Bluesky user noted that GoodRx offers generic versions of medications, allowing for much cheaper options. TrumpRx only carries brand names.
Some health experts have openly criticized the effort. “TrumpRx is a side show,” Sean D. Sullivan, a health economist at the University of Washington, told The New York Times. “I consider it not a real, serious effort in service to lowering prescription drug prices for Americans.”
Fast Company has reached out to GoodRx to ask about whether TrumpRx will offer any unique discounts or generic medications. We will update this post if we hear back.
